Robert Jeffress - Moving From Discouragement To Hope (Part 2)

July 11, 2025 | S25 E331 | 29:0

Pathway to Victory offers a practical application of God’s Word to everyday life through the clear, biblical teaching of Pastor Jeffress.

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Dr. Robert Jeffress | Robert Jeffress - Moving From Discouragement To Hope (Part 2) | July 11, 2025
  • ♪ music ♪
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  • [announcer] from the pulpit
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  • Of the first baptist church of dallas, texas,
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  • This is "pathway to victory" with dr. robert jeffress.
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  • Hi, i'm robert jeffress.
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  • And welcome again to "pathway to victory."
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  • We all feel sad and dejected from time to time,
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  • But for many people,
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  • Discouragement becomes less of a passing feeling
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  • And more of a permanent state of mind.
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  • Today we're learning from a great leader named nehemiah,
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  • Who shows us how to escape the emotional depths of despair.
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  • Nehemiah recognized the dejection among his people,
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  • And he led them to a better place.
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  • My message is titled: "moving from discouragement to hope"
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  • On today's edition of "pathway to victory."
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  • ♪ music ♪
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  • ♪ it's not conservative or liberal ♪
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  • ♪ however they're defined ♪
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  • ♪ it's not about interpretation ♪
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  • ♪ or the judgment of the mind ♪
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  • ♪ it's the opposite of politics, power, or prestige ♪
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  • ♪ it's about a simple message and whether we believe ♪
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  • ♪ it's still the cross ♪
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  • ♪ it's still the blood of calvary ♪
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  • ♪ that cleanses sin ♪
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  • ♪ and sets the captives free ♪
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  • ♪ it's still the name ♪
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  • ♪ the name of jesus ♪
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  • ♪ that has power to save the lost ♪
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  • ♪ it's still the cross ♪
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  • ♪ some may say it's man's religion ♪
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  • ♪ or ancient history ♪
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  • ♪ the cross of jesus still remains ♪
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  • ♪ the price for sin that sets us free ♪
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  • -♪ oh, it's the cross ♪ -♪ it's still the cross ♪
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  • ♪ it's still the blood of calvary ♪
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  • ♪ oh, it cleanses us, it cleanses our sin ♪
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  • ♪ and sets the captives free ♪
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  • ♪ it's still the name ♪
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  • ♪ the name of jesus ♪
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  • ♪ that has power to save the lost ♪
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  • ♪ it's still the cross ♪
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  • ♪ it's still the cross ♪
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  • ♪ it's the cross ♪
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  • -♪ the cross ♪ -♪ it's still the cross ♪
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  • -♪ thank god ♪ -♪ it's still the cross ♪
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  • ♪ oh the cross ♪
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  • (congregation applauds)
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  • [announcer] sometimes our emotions are like mountains
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  • That stand in our way.
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  • Obstacles like doubt, bitterness,
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  • Or fear keep us from enjoying a peaceful life of courage.
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  • In his book, "invincible," conquering the mountains
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  • That separate you from the blessed life,
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  • Dr. robert jeffress helps you overcome barriers like guilt,
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  • Loneliness, lust, grief, anxiety, and more.
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  • Discover how to conquer the mountains that hold you back.
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  • Request your hardcover copy of "invincible,"
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  • When you give a generous gift to "pathway to victory."
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  • ♪ music ♪
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  • ♪ music ♪
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  • We're halfway through that 52 day construction project,
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  • And nehemiah records this.
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  • The people were discouraged.
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  • I want you to notice the four reasons they were discouraged.
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  • The four d's that add up to discouragement.
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  • First of all, the people were drained. look at verse 10.
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  • Halfway through the project it says,
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  • "and the strength of the burden bearers is failing."
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  • (robert speak in hebrew) in hebrew.
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  • Literally, the people are stumbling.
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  • They are staggering. they are toddling.
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  • There's something about a major project that drains you.
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  • Vince lombardi famously said,
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  • "fatigue makes cowards of us all."
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  • When our bodies grow tired, we become discouraged.
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  • Weary people are whiny people. never forget that.
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  • Secondly, the people were not only drained,
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  • They were disgruntled.
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  • Look again at verse 10, "yet there is much rubbish."
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  • That is the life verse for every parent of a teenager.
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  • Look around, there is much rubbish.
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  • Whenever you're involved in something big and worthwhile,
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  • There's going to be a lot of garbage,
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  • Literal and figurative around.
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  • There's going to be a lot of stuff around you
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  • That can cause discouragement.
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  • Third, notice the progression here. they were drained.
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  • They were disgruntled. they became dejected, dejected.
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  • Look at verse 10 again,
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  • "and we ourselves are unable to rebuild the wall."
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  • They said, "we're in over our heads. we just can't do it.
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  • We might as well hang it up."
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  • And that led to the final d. they were distressed.
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  • The people were distressed.
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  • They were so discouraged that they came to the point,
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  • They said, "we can't handle one more problem.
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  • We've had it.
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  • If we get one more piece of bad news, we're going to collapse."
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  • Have you ever felt that way in your life?
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  • Where you get to the point you say,
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  • "i can't take one more bad thing happening."
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  • Doesn't matter how big or small it is,
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  • "i can't take one more thing."
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  • And usually that one more thing ends up happening.
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  • The enemy knows he's got you when you say,
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  • "i can't handle one more thing."
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  • That's what happened to the israelites
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  • When they were at the end of themselves.
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  • Look at verse 11.
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  • "our enemies said, 'they will not know or see
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  • Until we come among them, kill them
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  • And put a stop to the work.'"
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  • Now, that's what the enemies were saying,
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  • But how did those building the wall know about it?
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  • Look at, this is so key. verse 12.
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  • "then the jews, our own people
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  • Who lived near the enemies came and told us 10 times,
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  • 'they will come up against us
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  • From every place where you turn.'"
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  • Do you know people who love to deliver bad news?
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  • They love to come into your life
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  • And they'll say something they heard
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  • And they'll say to you, they will amplify it 10 times.
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  • "you know, i just think you need to know.
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  • Everybody is saying! everybody is saying!"
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  • Now, they may have heard it one time,
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  • It's probably from their mate,
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  • But oh, that suddenly becomes, everybody is saying,
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  • Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.
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  • When somebody says that to you, ask them.
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  • "well, exactly who is saying that?
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  • Could you tell me?"
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  • "oh, no, no, no, it's confidential."
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  • "okay, if you can't tell me their name,
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  • Just tell me how many?
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  • You said, 'everybody saying,' are you talking about
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  • You've heard that from 100 people?"
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  • "oh, well, no, not 100 people."
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  • "would you say 50 people have said that to you?"
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  • "oh, no, no, no, no, no, not 50."
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  • Usually it's them and maybe their mate or best friend.
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  • This is what the israelites were doing.
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  • They were listening to people who bore bad news.
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  • This led to the people becoming discouraged.
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  • They were discouraged, they were drained,
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  • They were disgruntled, dejected, distressed.
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  • That led to discouragement.
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  • Now, how do you handle discouragement?
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  • Well, if somebody says,
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  • "well, we just need to pray about it."
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  • Look, if your tire goes flat, you can pray all you want to,
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  • But eventually the tire has to be inflated.
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  • Same way with discouragement.
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  • Yes, we ought to pray,
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  • But discouraged people need to be encouraged.
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  • And i want to show you how nehemiah illustrates
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  • How to be encouraged when you're facing discouragement.
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  • The path that leads from discouragement to hope.
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  • I want you to look at the five decisive actions
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  • That nehemiah took when the people became discouraged.
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  • First of all, find encouragement in your family.
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  • Find encouragement in your family. look at verse 13.
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  • "i stationed men in the lowest part of the space
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  • Behind the wall, the exposed places,
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  • And i stationed the people in families
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  • With their swords, spears, and bows."
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  • He put the people together as families to work on the wall.
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  • Your family ought to be a place,
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  • Where regardless of what's happening on the outside,
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  • You can find encouragement.
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  • It ought to be your safe place.
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  • Now, i realize for many of you, that's not the case.
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  • You may come from a dysfunctional family.
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  • You may have had an absentee father.
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  • You don't find the encouragement you need in your family.
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  • Then you need a family of friends,
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  • Or you need your church family,
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  • But there ought to be someplace
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  • Where you find encouragement,
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  • A group of people who love you unconditionally.
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  • Secondly, remember, god is on your side.
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  • Whenever you feel discouraged,
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  • Remember, god is on your side.
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  • Nehemiah reminded the people of that in verse 14.
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  • He said, "when i saw their fear,
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  • I rose and i spoke to the nobles,
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  • The officials and the rest of the people,
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  • And i said, 'do not be afraid of them;
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  • Remember the lord who is great and awesome.'"
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  • Underline that, god is great and awesome!
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  • "and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters,
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  • Your wives, and your houses."
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  • We need to be reminded of the greatness,
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  • The awesomeness of god.
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  • Because when we're reminded of the greatness of god,
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  • Now listen to this.
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  • Our problems don't evaporate,
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  • But remembering the greatness of god
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  • Puts our problems in proper perspective.
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  • It reminds us how small our problems really are
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  • Compared to the greatness of god.
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  • Remember numbers 13, the spies,
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  • The 12 spies who went into canaan to check things out,
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  • And they came back with a report
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  • And 10 them said, "we cannot overtake the land.
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  • There are giants in the land!"
  • 00:11:21.537 --> 00:11:23.873
  • And there were giants in the land,
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  • But then they said, "there are giants in the land,
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  • And we became as grasshoppers in our own eyes."
  • 00:11:27.743 --> 00:11:33.249
  • Yeah, they had giants, that was accurate,
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  • But what was inaccurate is they weren't grasshoppers.
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  • But without god we're susceptible to being overwhelmed
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  • And discouraged with our problems.
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  • They forgot god and they became less than they really were.
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  • The same thing is true for you.
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  • You need to remind yourself of the greatness of god.
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  • You say, "well, how do i do that?"
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  • One way to do that is through the scripture.
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  • I want to give you a couple of scripture verses
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  • To memorize to remember the greatness of god
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  • And the fact that god is on your side.
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  • Romans 8:31-32, paul said, "what shall we say them?
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  • If god is for us, who can be against us?
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  • He who did not spare his own son,
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  • But delivered him up for us all,
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  • Will he not also freely give us everything else?"
  • 00:12:22.998 --> 00:12:27.136
  • Or psalm 34:8, "o taste and see that the lord is good.
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  • How blessed are the people who take refuge in him!"
  • 00:12:31.340 --> 00:12:36.612
  • Or psalm 8, "o lord, our lord,
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  • How majestic is your name and all the earth.
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  • When i consider the heavens, the work of your fingers,
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  • The moon and the stars which you have ordained,
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  • What is man that you're even mindful of him?
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  • Or the son of man, that you take care of him?"
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  • Remind yourself through scripture of the greatness of god.
  • 00:12:52.628 --> 00:12:55.764
  • Listen to good christian praise music,
  • 00:12:55.764 --> 00:12:58.467
  • Wonderful music from our choir and orchestra,
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  • Our day one band that reminds us of the greatness of god.
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  • When you remember the greatness of god,
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  • It puts your problems into perspective.
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  • See, do the work god has given you.
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  • Now, this suggestion alone
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  • Is worth the price of the sermon.
  • 00:13:17.419 --> 00:13:20.322
  • Do the work that god has given you.
  • 00:13:20.322 --> 00:13:23.025
  • Don't wait until the cloud of discouragement lifts
  • 00:13:23.025 --> 00:13:27.963
  • Before you start doing what god has called you to do.
  • 00:13:27.963 --> 00:13:31.400
  • Where do i find that? look at verses 15 and 16.
  • 00:13:31.400 --> 00:13:34.203
  • "when our enemies heard that it was known to us
  • 00:13:34.203 --> 00:13:36.939
  • And that god had frustrated their plan,
  • 00:13:36.939 --> 00:13:38.908
  • Then all of us return to the wall,"
  • 00:13:38.908 --> 00:13:40.676
  • Underline this, "each one to do his work."
  • 00:13:40.676 --> 00:13:44.113
  • And then again in verse 16, "from that day on,
  • 00:13:44.113 --> 00:13:46.382
  • Half of my servants carried on the work
  • 00:13:46.382 --> 00:13:49.952
  • While half of them held the spears."
  • 00:13:49.952 --> 00:13:52.388
  • Now, you know what most of us do?
  • 00:13:52.388 --> 00:13:54.256
  • We wait until we feel right to do right,
  • 00:13:54.256 --> 00:13:57.326
  • And we've got it reversed.
  • 00:13:57.326 --> 00:13:59.061
  • Jerome bruner, a psychologist at harvard university, said,
  • 00:13:59.061 --> 00:14:04.366
  • "it is much easier to act yourself into a feeling
  • 00:14:05.367 --> 00:14:09.738
  • Than to feel yourself into an action."
  • 00:14:09.738 --> 00:14:13.309
  • That's gold right there.
  • 00:14:13.309 --> 00:14:15.311
  • It's a lot easier to act yourself into a feeling,
  • 00:14:15.311 --> 00:14:17.846
  • Then feel yourself into an action.
  • 00:14:17.846 --> 00:14:19.248
  • In other words, if you wait until you feel right
  • 00:14:19.248 --> 00:14:21.750
  • To do right, you'll never do right.
  • 00:14:21.750 --> 00:14:23.953
  • But if you'll do right, you start to feel right.
  • 00:14:23.953 --> 00:14:26.855
  • By the way, jerome bruner didn't make that up.
  • 00:14:27.823 --> 00:14:31.093
  • That came from the scriptures itself.
  • 00:14:31.093 --> 00:14:33.762
  • Remember in genesis 4:6, god was talking to cain.
  • 00:14:33.762 --> 00:14:39.068
  • Cain was all depressed and discouraged
  • 00:14:39.868 --> 00:14:42.304
  • After he tried to bring that no account offering to god,
  • 00:14:42.304 --> 00:14:44.974
  • And god rejected it
  • 00:14:44.974 --> 00:14:46.175
  • And accepted the offering of his brother.
  • 00:14:46.175 --> 00:14:48.744
  • Remember what god said to cain in genesis 4:6,
  • 00:14:48.744 --> 00:14:51.480
  • "why are you angry, cain
  • 00:14:51.480 --> 00:14:54.416
  • And why has your countenance fallen?
  • 00:14:54.416 --> 00:14:57.519
  • If you do right, will not your countenance be lifted up?"
  • 00:14:57.519 --> 00:15:02.858
  • In other words, cain, if you will do right,
  • 00:15:03.792 --> 00:15:06.462
  • You'll start to feel right.
  • 00:15:06.462 --> 00:15:08.831
  • Do the work that god has already called you to do.
  • 00:15:08.831 --> 00:15:13.435
  • Number four, enlist other people to help you.
  • 00:15:13.435 --> 00:15:17.740
  • Enlist the help of others.
  • 00:15:17.740 --> 00:15:20.442
  • I came across a term this week that i was unfamiliar with.
  • 00:15:21.610 --> 00:15:25.848
  • It's the term sologamy. do you know about sologamy?
  • 00:15:25.848 --> 00:15:30.986
  • You know what it is?
  • 00:15:31.453 --> 00:15:33.022
  • It's the new trend of people choosing to marry themselves.
  • 00:15:33.022 --> 00:15:38.560
  • Solo, sologamy, marrying yourself.
  • 00:15:39.294 --> 00:15:43.132
  • Now you think i'm making this up.
  • 00:15:43.132 --> 00:15:44.833
  • Go read the new york times this week.
  • 00:15:44.833 --> 00:15:46.635
  • There's a big article
  • 00:15:46.635 --> 00:15:47.936
  • On the trend of people marrying themselves.
  • 00:15:47.936 --> 00:15:50.773
  • They actually send out invitations to a wedding ceremony.
  • 00:15:50.773 --> 00:15:55.244
  • People give gifts.
  • 00:15:55.244 --> 00:15:56.712
  • They have a reception for a person to marry himself.
  • 00:15:56.712 --> 00:16:01.617
  • Now, we're not going to explore that completely,
  • 00:16:02.551 --> 00:16:06.688
  • But obviously, it is a ridiculous idea.
  • 00:16:06.688 --> 00:16:09.591
  • You need somebody else to marry.
  • 00:16:09.591 --> 00:16:12.861
  • You can't marry yourself,
  • 00:16:12.861 --> 00:16:15.197
  • And you also need other people to help you through life.
  • 00:16:15.197 --> 00:16:17.699
  • That's a principle you find in scripture.
  • 00:16:17.699 --> 00:16:19.802
  • Look at verses 19 and 20 of nehemiah 4.
  • 00:16:19.802 --> 00:16:24.807
  • By the way, did you hear somebody's phone going off
  • 00:16:25.808 --> 00:16:28.744
  • Just a moment ago, that amber alert that comes?
  • 00:16:28.744 --> 00:16:32.748
  • You know, that can be very annoying.
  • 00:16:32.748 --> 00:16:35.317
  • Or your television, the tornado warning
  • 00:16:35.317 --> 00:16:38.954
  • That comes and so forth.
  • 00:16:38.954 --> 00:16:40.189
  • Back in nehemiah's day,
  • 00:16:40.189 --> 00:16:41.490
  • They didn't have the alerts like we've got.
  • 00:16:41.490 --> 00:16:44.827
  • If an enemy came, then nehemiah had to devise a way
  • 00:16:44.827 --> 00:16:48.664
  • To warn everybody of it,
  • 00:16:48.664 --> 00:16:50.165
  • And that's exactly what he does in verses 19 and 20.
  • 00:16:50.165 --> 00:16:53.235
  • "and i said to the nobles,
  • 00:16:53.235 --> 00:16:54.803
  • The officials and the rest of the people,
  • 00:16:54.803 --> 00:16:56.672
  • 'the work is great and extensive,
  • 00:16:56.672 --> 00:16:58.774
  • And we are separated on the wall from one another.'"
  • 00:16:58.774 --> 00:17:01.477
  • Even though people were in families,
  • 00:17:01.477 --> 00:17:02.978
  • They were still separated.
  • 00:17:02.978 --> 00:17:04.513
  • "at whatever place you hear the sounds of the trumpet,
  • 00:17:04.513 --> 00:17:07.649
  • Rally to us there, our god will fight for us."
  • 00:17:07.649 --> 00:17:10.919
  • In other words, if we're under attack,
  • 00:17:10.919 --> 00:17:13.155
  • We'll get a bugler to blow the bugle
  • 00:17:13.155 --> 00:17:15.724
  • Instead of sounding the amber alert
  • 00:17:15.724 --> 00:17:17.860
  • And you go to the place, wherever you hear the bugler,
  • 00:17:17.860 --> 00:17:21.330
  • And we'll all come together instead of being alone
  • 00:17:21.330 --> 00:17:23.999
  • When the enemy attacked.
  • 00:17:23.999 --> 00:17:25.734
  • He established a place for the people to gather together
  • 00:17:25.734 --> 00:17:28.537
  • Where the bugler is.
  • 00:17:28.537 --> 00:17:30.072
  • But also a principle that we all need to remember today.
  • 00:17:30.072 --> 00:17:32.708
  • Never try to fight your battles alone.
  • 00:17:32.708 --> 00:17:37.913
  • Or even in a family,
  • 00:17:38.380 --> 00:17:39.648
  • You need a bigger group to be a part of.
  • 00:17:39.648 --> 00:17:43.018
  • You need a church family.
  • 00:17:43.018 --> 00:17:45.287
  • You need a group of believers who will surround you.
  • 00:17:45.287 --> 00:17:48.857
  • Isolated people are defeated people.
  • 00:17:48.857 --> 00:17:53.061
  • Solomon said it this way. i like the new living translation.
  • 00:17:53.061 --> 00:17:56.131
  • Ecclesiastes 4:12.
  • 00:17:56.131 --> 00:17:57.933
  • "a person standing alone can be attacked and defeated,
  • 00:17:57.933 --> 00:18:01.203
  • But two can stand back to back and conquer.
  • 00:18:01.203 --> 00:18:05.073
  • Three are even better,
  • 00:18:05.073 --> 00:18:06.608
  • For a triple braided cord is not easily broken."
  • 00:18:06.608 --> 00:18:11.513
  • You know, one of the most dangerous things
  • 00:18:11.513 --> 00:18:13.315
  • About this pandemic
  • 00:18:13.315 --> 00:18:14.917
  • Has been unlike other crises in american life,
  • 00:18:14.917 --> 00:18:18.587
  • The civil war, world war ii, terrorist attacks.
  • 00:18:18.587 --> 00:18:23.926
  • Unlike those crises, we had to go through this alone.
  • 00:18:25.027 --> 00:18:27.896
  • We were separated from one another
  • 00:18:27.896 --> 00:18:29.698
  • And from our places of worship,
  • 00:18:29.698 --> 00:18:32.067
  • And that's why i would just encourage those of you
  • 00:18:32.067 --> 00:18:35.204
  • Who are watching online right now,
  • 00:18:35.204 --> 00:18:37.773
  • Get back to church as soon as you possibly can.
  • 00:18:38.774 --> 00:18:42.578
  • The enemy loves to isolate us
  • 00:18:43.212 --> 00:18:46.114
  • And ultimately attack and defeat us.
  • 00:18:46.114 --> 00:18:49.017
  • We need one another. isolated people are defeated people.
  • 00:18:49.017 --> 00:18:54.356
  • And finally, how do you move from discouragement to hope?
  • 00:18:55.490 --> 00:18:58.260
  • Serve another person in need,
  • 00:18:58.260 --> 00:19:01.563
  • Encourage another person who needs encouragement.
  • 00:19:01.563 --> 00:19:04.333
  • Where do i get that? look at verses 21 and 22.
  • 00:19:04.333 --> 00:19:07.569
  • "so we carried on the work
  • 00:19:07.569 --> 00:19:09.071
  • With half of them holding spears
  • 00:19:09.071 --> 00:19:10.739
  • From dawn until the stars appeared.
  • 00:19:10.739 --> 00:19:13.242
  • At that time, i also said to the people,
  • 00:19:13.242 --> 00:19:15.510
  • 'let each man with his servant
  • 00:19:15.510 --> 00:19:16.979
  • Spend the night within jerusalem
  • 00:19:16.979 --> 00:19:19.448
  • So that they may be a guard for us by night
  • 00:19:19.448 --> 00:19:21.750
  • And a laborer by day.'"
  • 00:19:21.750 --> 00:19:23.385
  • I read and read this,
  • 00:19:23.385 --> 00:19:24.853
  • The commentaries this week about this passage
  • 00:19:24.853 --> 00:19:26.855
  • Trying to figure out what was going on.
  • 00:19:26.855 --> 00:19:28.890
  • Here's my best shot at it.
  • 00:19:28.890 --> 00:19:30.692
  • Nehemiah said, "we need to speed up
  • 00:19:30.692 --> 00:19:32.261
  • The construction project, so we're going to work double shifts
  • 00:19:32.261 --> 00:19:34.796
  • And get this thing done before the enemy attacks.
  • 00:19:34.796 --> 00:19:37.933
  • So to do that, we need people
  • 00:19:37.933 --> 00:19:39.801
  • After they finish their shift,
  • 00:19:39.801 --> 00:19:41.637
  • We need them to go ahead and stay here,
  • 00:19:41.637 --> 00:19:43.805
  • Stay in the city, guard the other people who are working
  • 00:19:43.805 --> 00:19:48.343
  • So we can speed up the project."
  • 00:19:48.343 --> 00:19:50.812
  • Even though the people were drained and tired
  • 00:19:50.812 --> 00:19:52.881
  • After a busy day of working, nehemiah said,
  • 00:19:52.881 --> 00:19:55.751
  • "protect somebody else."
  • 00:19:55.751 --> 00:19:58.887
  • And the principle here is sometimes
  • 00:19:58.887 --> 00:20:01.256
  • The best thing you can do when you're discouraged
  • 00:20:01.256 --> 00:20:04.493
  • Is to encourage somebody else.
  • 00:20:04.493 --> 00:20:07.696
  • Now you probably feel like you're in no position to do that.
  • 00:20:07.696 --> 00:20:10.599
  • I've heard people say, "oh, i'm just so drained emotionally.
  • 00:20:10.599 --> 00:20:14.303
  • I don't have anything to offer anybody."
  • 00:20:14.303 --> 00:20:16.605
  • That's not true if you're a christian,
  • 00:20:16.605 --> 00:20:18.540
  • You do have something to offer somebody else.
  • 00:20:18.540 --> 00:20:21.143
  • I heard somebody say this week, and i wrote this down,
  • 00:20:21.143 --> 00:20:23.745
  • "a candle doesn't lose anything
  • 00:20:23.745 --> 00:20:27.349
  • When it lights another candle."
  • 00:20:27.349 --> 00:20:30.252
  • That's a profound thought.
  • 00:20:30.819 --> 00:20:32.187
  • There is nothing of a candle that's diminished
  • 00:20:32.187 --> 00:20:34.356
  • When it lights another candle.
  • 00:20:34.356 --> 00:20:37.192
  • And the same thing is true
  • 00:20:37.192 --> 00:20:38.393
  • When we encourage another christian,
  • 00:20:38.393 --> 00:20:42.331
  • It doesn't cost us anything.
  • 00:20:42.331 --> 00:20:45.133
  • I think about my friend jimmy draper,
  • 00:20:45.901 --> 00:20:47.936
  • Who was the associate pastor here years ago.
  • 00:20:47.936 --> 00:20:51.273
  • I remember when he was preaching one time,
  • 00:20:51.273 --> 00:20:52.941
  • I heard him as a teenager
  • 00:20:52.941 --> 00:20:54.609
  • And he said something i'll never forget.
  • 00:20:54.609 --> 00:20:56.278
  • He said, "be nice to everybody
  • 00:20:56.278 --> 00:20:58.814
  • Because everybody's having a hard time."
  • 00:20:58.814 --> 00:21:01.650
  • I'd change that a little bit to say,
  • 00:21:02.451 --> 00:21:04.720
  • Encourage anyone you meet
  • 00:21:04.720 --> 00:21:06.855
  • Because everybody needs encouragement,
  • 00:21:06.855 --> 00:21:10.525
  • And you've got the ability to encourage other people.
  • 00:21:11.593 --> 00:21:14.796
  • I mentioned a couple of weeks ago, my daughter julia,
  • 00:21:14.796 --> 00:21:18.433
  • Has written a very honest book called "pray big things,"
  • 00:21:18.433 --> 00:21:22.637
  • And she details the discouragement she and ryan felt
  • 00:21:22.637 --> 00:21:26.408
  • After going through a season of infertility
  • 00:21:26.408 --> 00:21:29.544
  • And three miscarriages.
  • 00:21:29.544 --> 00:21:32.180
  • And in the book she describes an episode in which she,
  • 00:21:32.180 --> 00:21:35.550
  • About four years ago,
  • 00:21:35.550 --> 00:21:37.185
  • Had lunch with her younger sister dorothy.
  • 00:21:37.185 --> 00:21:40.655
  • And dorothy said something that lifted julia's spirits.
  • 00:21:40.655 --> 00:21:44.760
  • Julia writes, "at that lunch,
  • 00:21:44.760 --> 00:21:46.895
  • Dorothy looked at me and said, 'julia,
  • 00:21:46.895 --> 00:21:49.865
  • I think something really big is about to happen.'
  • 00:21:49.865 --> 00:21:53.402
  • Now, this was a year before the triplets were born,
  • 00:21:53.402 --> 00:21:56.471
  • Before my dad became a presidential advisor,
  • 00:21:56.471 --> 00:21:59.074
  • Before ryan and i were cast in a reality tv show
  • 00:21:59.074 --> 00:22:02.377
  • That gave us the ability
  • 00:22:02.377 --> 00:22:04.112
  • To talk about christ on a national platform.
  • 00:22:04.112 --> 00:22:06.782
  • How did dorothy know something big was about to happen?
  • 00:22:06.782 --> 00:22:11.319
  • Dorothy is not some kind of modern day prophetess,
  • 00:22:11.319 --> 00:22:14.756
  • But she understands the spiritual progression of events.
  • 00:22:14.756 --> 00:22:19.594
  • Temptation, struggles, trials
  • 00:22:19.594 --> 00:22:22.697
  • And persecution usually come before a blessing.
  • 00:22:22.697 --> 00:22:27.669
  • If we figure out that sequence,
  • 00:22:27.669 --> 00:22:30.071
  • We will not be swayed in our beliefs.
  • 00:22:30.071 --> 00:22:32.941
  • While the trials will be hard, our victory is certain."
  • 00:22:32.941 --> 00:22:38.680
  • There's some of you right now who feel like
  • 00:22:39.581 --> 00:22:42.818
  • The mountain of discouragement is overshadowing
  • 00:22:42.818 --> 00:22:45.854
  • Everything else in your life.
  • 00:22:45.854 --> 00:22:48.089
  • Remember, struggles, trials,
  • 00:22:48.690 --> 00:22:52.694
  • Difficulties many times are just the prelude
  • 00:22:52.694 --> 00:22:57.399
  • To a new season of blessing
  • 00:22:57.399 --> 00:22:59.634
  • That's about to come into your life.
  • 00:22:59.634 --> 00:23:02.003
  • Remind yourself, encourage yourself with that truth
  • 00:23:03.004 --> 00:23:06.775
  • And then find somebody else to encourage with that truth.
  • 00:23:06.775 --> 00:23:11.112
  • Why?
  • 00:23:11.112 --> 00:23:12.647
  • Because the path that leads from discouragement to hope
  • 00:23:12.647 --> 00:23:15.984
  • Is best traveled together rather than alone.
  • 00:23:15.984 --> 00:23:20.555
  • ♪ music ♪
  • 00:23:20.555 --> 00:23:24.759
  • If you feel stuck in a rut of discouragement today,
  • 00:23:25.760 --> 00:23:29.397
  • I hope you'll begin to see
  • 00:23:29.397 --> 00:23:31.032
  • That life's trials are not a permanent destination,
  • 00:23:31.032 --> 00:23:34.269
  • But a stop on the road to god's blessings,
  • 00:23:34.269 --> 00:23:38.073
  • And understanding that truth is key
  • 00:23:38.073 --> 00:23:40.775
  • To conquering the mountain of discouragement.
  • 00:23:40.775 --> 00:23:43.778
  • Well, in closing today, i want to assure you
  • 00:23:43.778 --> 00:23:46.281
  • That your gift to "pathway to victory"
  • 00:23:46.281 --> 00:23:48.383
  • Is handled with utmost care as we bring god's hope
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  • To millions of viewers and listeners.
  • 00:23:52.721 --> 00:23:55.657
  • "pathway to victory" has a very small but efficient team
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  • Here in dallas that handles everything for you,
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  • So that as much of your financial support as possible
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  • We are now one of the fastest growing
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  • Christian media ministries in the world.
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  • Now, please, stay right there.
  • 00:24:21.483 --> 00:24:23.318
  • I'll be back with more
  • 00:24:23.318 --> 00:24:24.786
  • "pathway to victory" in just a moment.
  • 00:24:24.786 --> 00:24:28.290
  • Jesus told us that if we have faith
  • 00:24:29.024 --> 00:24:30.992
  • As tiny as a mustard seed, we can move mountains.
  • 00:24:30.992 --> 00:24:34.529
  • But what does that promise really mean?
  • 00:24:34.529 --> 00:24:37.465
  • [announcer] in his book, "invincible,"
  • 00:24:37.465 --> 00:24:39.501
  • Dr. robert jeffress helps you conquer the mountains
  • 00:24:39.501 --> 00:24:41.970
  • That separate you from the blessed life.
  • 00:24:41.970 --> 00:24:44.239
  • [robert] all of us are going to face mountains in life,
  • 00:24:44.239 --> 00:24:46.808
  • But those obstacles don't have to stop us in our tracks
  • 00:24:46.808 --> 00:24:50.378
  • Because with god on our side, we are invincible.
  • 00:24:50.378 --> 00:24:54.282
  • [announcer] in the pages of "invincible,"
  • 00:24:54.282 --> 00:24:55.784
  • You'll discover how to move from doubt to faith,
  • 00:24:55.784 --> 00:24:58.186
  • From anxiety to peace, from discouragement to hope,
  • 00:24:58.186 --> 00:25:01.289
  • From fear to courage, and much more.
  • 00:25:01.289 --> 00:25:03.892
  • Life's up and downs can be overwhelming,
  • 00:25:03.892 --> 00:25:06.094
  • But in the eyes of the mountain mover,
  • 00:25:06.094 --> 00:25:08.730
  • Every mountain you face is a mole hill
  • 00:25:08.730 --> 00:25:11.700
  • And god is ready to take you to the other side of blessing.
  • 00:25:11.700 --> 00:25:15.303
  • [announcer] you're invited to request a hardcover copy
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  • Of "invincible" when you give a generous gift
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  • To "pathway to victory."
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  • Nothing will prevent your conquering mountains
  • 00:25:31.753 --> 00:25:34.422
  • In your life any more than doubt.
  • 00:25:34.422 --> 00:25:37.525
  • We've got this secret fear
  • 00:25:37.525 --> 00:25:39.260
  • That our doubts are bigger than god's answers.
  • 00:25:39.260 --> 00:25:42.030
  • Don't worry about that.
  • 00:25:42.030 --> 00:25:43.632
  • God is big enough to handle your questions.
  • 00:25:43.632 --> 00:25:46.968
  • [announcer] your generosity today will help us
  • 00:25:46.968 --> 00:25:48.803
  • Spread the message of victory and hope.
  • 00:25:48.803 --> 00:25:50.805
  • Thank you for giving generously
  • 00:25:50.805 --> 00:25:52.474
  • To help us shine the light of christ
  • 00:25:52.474 --> 00:25:54.042
  • Into the dark corners of our country and world.
  • 00:25:54.042 --> 00:25:59.280
  • ♪ music ♪
  • 00:25:59.614 --> 00:26:01.349
  • Life's problems seem a lot more manageable
  • 00:26:01.349 --> 00:26:04.386
  • When we have someone to help us through them.
  • 00:26:04.386 --> 00:26:06.888
  • Don't you agree?
  • 00:26:06.888 --> 00:26:08.523
  • Well, in turn, we're called to lift up other people
  • 00:26:08.523 --> 00:26:12.293
  • As they navigate their personal struggles as well.
  • 00:26:12.293 --> 00:26:15.997
  • That's the biblical path from discouragement to hope.
  • 00:26:15.997 --> 00:26:19.968
  • Now, the bible says that all of us have sinned
  • 00:26:19.968 --> 00:26:23.405
  • And fallen short of the glory of god,
  • 00:26:23.405 --> 00:26:26.041
  • And as a result, everyone struggles with a measure of shame.
  • 00:26:26.041 --> 00:26:30.478
  • So please join us next time
  • 00:26:30.478 --> 00:26:32.614
  • When i talk about conquering the mountain of guilt.
  • 00:26:32.614 --> 00:26:36.551
  • Stay tuned for a preview
  • 00:26:36.551 --> 00:26:37.886
  • Of what's coming up next on "pathway to victory."
  • 00:26:37.886 --> 00:26:42.223
  • Everybody struggles with guilt about something
  • 00:26:43.158 --> 00:26:47.062
  • Because we've all sinned and fallen short of god's plan,
  • 00:26:47.062 --> 00:26:50.432
  • But we have a choice of how we handle our guilt.
  • 00:26:50.432 --> 00:26:53.168
  • We can try to cover it, we can run away from it,
  • 00:26:53.168 --> 00:26:56.871
  • We can blame others for it, we can rationalize it,
  • 00:26:56.871 --> 00:26:59.374
  • Or we can discover the freedom
  • 00:26:59.374 --> 00:27:02.744
  • That comes from god's forgiveness.
  • 00:27:02.744 --> 00:27:05.547
  • [announcer] set your dvr and join us next time
  • 00:27:05.547 --> 00:27:07.949
  • For the message, "moving from guilt to repentance,"
  • 00:27:07.949 --> 00:27:11.386
  • Here on "pathway to victory."
  • 00:27:11.386 --> 00:27:13.321
  • ♪ music ♪
  • 00:27:13.321 --> 00:27:13.321